Terms & Conditions

The Customer’s attention is particularly drawn to the provisions of clause 9 and for the avoidance of doubt the parties agree and confirm that the Customer shall not be classed as a consumer for the purposes of any and all legislation in existence at the time of the formation of any Contract governed by these terms.

1. Interpretation

1.1 Definitions. In these Conditions, the following definitions apply:

Application Form: the application form downloadable from the Universal Company Incorporations website to confirm the Services that the Customer wishes to purchase.

Business Day: a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday) when banks in London are open for business.

Charges: the charges payable by the Customer for the supply of the Services in accordance with clause 5

Commencement Date: has the meaning set out in clause 2.2.

Conditions: these terms and conditions as amended from time to time in accordance with clause 12.8.

Contract: the contract between the Supplier and the Customer for the supply of Services in accordance with these Conditions.

Customer: the person or firm who purchases Services from the Supplier.

Deliverables: the deliverables set out in the Specification produced by the Supplier for the Customer.

Intellectual Property Rights: all patents, rights to inventions, utility models, copyright and related rights, trade marks, service marks, trade, business and domain names, rights in trade dress or get-up, rights in goodwill or to sue for passing off, unfair competition rights, rights in designs, rights in computer software, database right, topography rights, moral rights, rights in confidential information (including know-how and trade secrets) and any other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications for and renewals or extensions of such rights, and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world.

Order: the Customer’s order for Services as set out in the un-signed Application Form.

Services: the services, including the Deliverables, supplied by the Supplier to the Customer as set out in the Specification.

Specification: the description or specification of the Services provided in the order confirmation document.

Supplier: Universal Company Incorporations Ltd registered in England and Wales with company number 08455371.

1.2 Construction. In these Conditions, the following rules apply:

(a) a person includes a natural person, corporate or unincorporated body (whether or not having separate legal personality);
(b) a reference to a party includes its personal representatives, successors or permitted assigns;
(c) a reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to such statute or statutory provision as amended or re-enacted. A reference to a statute or statutory provision includes any subordinate legislation made under that statute or statutory provision, as amended or re-enacted;
(d) any phrase introduced by the terms including, include, in particular or any similar expression, shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms; and
(e) a reference to writing or written includes faxes and e-mails.

2. Basis of Contract

2.1 The Order constitutes an offer by the Customer to purchase Services in accordance with these Conditions.
2.2 The Order shall only be deemed to be accepted when the Supplier issues written acceptance of the Order by confirming in email to the Customer and issuing the Specification to the Customer at which point and on which date the Contract shall come into existence (Commencement Date).
2.3 The Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties. The Customer acknowledges that it has not relied on any statement, promise or representation made or given by or on behalf of the Supplier which is not set out in the Contract.
2.4 Any descriptive matter or advertising issued by the Supplier, and any descriptions contained on the Supplier’s website is published for the sole purpose of giving an approximate idea of the Services described in them. They shall not form part of the Contract or have any contractual force.
2.5 These Conditions apply to the Contract to the exclusion of any other terms that the Customer seeks to impose or incorporate, or which are implied by trade, custom, practice or course of dealing.
2.6 Any quotation given by the Supplier shall not constitute an offer.

3. Supply of Services

3.1 The Supplier shall supply the Services to the Customer in accordance with the Specification in all material respects.
3.2 The Supplier shall use all reasonable endeavours to meet any performance dates specified in the Specification, but any such dates shall be estimates only and time shall not be of the essence for performance of the Services.
3.3 The Supplier shall have the right to make any changes to the Services which are necessary to comply with any applicable law or safety requirement, or which do not materially affect the nature or quality of the Services, and the Supplier shall notify the Customer in any such event.
3.4 The Supplier warrants to the Customer that the Services will be provided using reasonable care and skill.

4. Customer’s obligations

4.1 The Customer shall:
(a) ensure that the terms of the Order and any information it provides in the Application Form are complete and accurate;
(b) co-operate with the Supplier in all matters relating to the Services;
(c) provide the Supplier with such information and materials as the Supplier may reasonably require in order to supply the Services including but not limited to any and all valid identification documents requested by the Supplier or any third party requested in relation to the Services, and ensure that such information is accurate in all respects;
(d) obtain and maintain all necessary licences, permissions and consents which may be required before the date on which the Services are to start;
(e) provide the Supplier with such information and materials as the Supplier directs are required for compliance with the regulations and legislation of any relevant country in which Services are to be provided.
4.2 If the Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations under the Contract is prevented or delayed by any act or omission by the Customer or failure by the Customer to perform any relevant obligation (Customer Default):
(a) the Supplier shall without limiting its other rights or remedies have the right to suspend performance of the Services until the Customer remedies the Customer Default, and to rely on the Customer Default to relieve it from the performance of any of its obligations to the extent the Customer Default prevents or delays the Supplier’s performance of any of its obligations;
(b) the Supplier shall not be liable for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Customer arising directly or indirectly from the Supplier’s failure or delay to perform any of its obligations as set out in this clause 4.2; and
(c) the Customer shall reimburse the Supplier on written demand for any costs or losses sustained or incurred by the Supplier arising directly or indirectly from the Customer Default.

5. Charges and payment

5.1 In consideration of the provision of the Services by the Supplier, the Customer shall pay the charges set out in the payment schedule attached to the Specification (Payment Schedule).The Supplier shall confirm the charges payable, including any disbursements to be incurred, in accordance with the information supplied by the Customer in the Application Form and shall set this out in said Payment Schedule.
5.2 The parties agree that the Supplier may review and increase the charges set out in the Payment Schedule as necessary to account for a variation to the Services whether requested by the Customer or in accordance with any clause of these terms. The Supplier shall provide advance notice of the variation to the Payment Schedule to the Customer where reasonably possible.
5.3 The Supplier shall invoice the Customer in accordance with the Payment Schedule.
5.4 The Customer shall pay each invoice submitted by the Supplier:
(a) immediately; and
(b) in full and in cleared funds to a bank account nominated in writing by the Supplier, and
time for payment shall be of the essence of the Contract.
5.5 All amounts payable by the Customer under the Contract are exclusive of amounts in respect of value added tax chargeable for the time being (VAT). Where any taxable supply for VAT purposes is made under the Contract by the Supplier to the Customer, the Customer shall, on receipt of a valid VAT invoice from the Supplier, pay to the Supplier such additional amounts in respect of VAT as are chargeable on the supply of the Services at the same time as payment is due for the supply of the Services.
5.6 Without limiting any other right or remedy of the Supplier, if the Customer fails to make any payment due to the Supplier under the Contract by the due date for payment (Due Date), the Supplier shall have the right to charge interest on the overdue amount at the rate of 4 per cent per annum above the then current Bank of England’s base rate accruing on a daily basis from the Due Date until the date of actual payment of the overdue amount, whether before or after judgment, and compounding quarterly.
5.7 The Customer shall pay all amounts due under the Contract in full without any deduction or withholding except as required by law and the Customer shall not be entitled to assert any credit, set-off or counterclaim against the Supplier in order to justify withholding payment of any such amount in whole or in part. The Supplier may, without limiting its other rights or remedies, set off any amount owing to it by the Customer against any amount payable by the Supplier to the Customer.

6. Rights of Cancellation and Applicable Refund

6.1 Before the Supplier begins to provide the Services, the Customer has the following rights to cancel an Order for Services:
(a) The Customer may cancel any Order for Services at any time before the start date for the Services by contacting the Supplier. The Supplier will confirm the cancellation in writing to the Customer.
(b) Should the Customer cancel an Order under clause 6.1(a) and the Customer has made any payment in advance for Services that have not been provided to it. The Supplier will refund these amounts to the Customer.
(c) However, if the Customer cancels an Order for Services under clause 6.1(a) and the Supplier has already started work on the Order by that time, the Customer will pay any costs the Supplier has incurred in starting to fulfil the Order, this will be deducted from any refund that is due to the Customer or, if no refund is due, invoiced to the Customer. The Supplier will tell the Customer what these costs are when it contacts the Supplier.
6.2 Once the Supplier has begun to provide the Services to the Customer it may cancel the contract for the Services at any time by providing the Supplier with at least 30 calendar days’ notice in writing. Subject to clause 6.4 any advance payment the Supplier has made for Services that have not been provided will be refunded to the Customer.
6.3 If the Supplier has to cancel an Order for Services before the Services start::
(a) The Supplier may have to cancel an Order before the start date for the Services. The Supplier will promptly contact you if this happens.
(b) If the Supplier has to cancel an Order under clause 6.3(a) and the Customer has made any payment in advance for Services that have not been provided to it. The Supplier will refund these amounts to it.
(c) Where the Supplier has already started work on the Order for Services by the time it has to cancel under clause 6.3(a) due to a Customer Default or due to failure of the Supplier’s security procedures, the Customer will pay the Supplier any costs the Supplier has reasonably incurred in starting to fulfil the Order, and this charge will be deducted from any refund that is due to the Customer, if no refund is due this will be invoiced to the Customer.
6.4 Any refund due under this clause 6 shall be subject to the Supplier recovering any and all costs incurred in the processing of the Order, provision, supply and cancellation of the Services from any Customer funds the Supplier has received from the Customer as well as the payment of any and all fees and costs incurred with 3rd parties during the provision of the Services.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 All Intellectual Property Rights in or arising out of or in connection with the Services shall be owned by the Supplier.
7.2 The Customer acknowledges that, in respect of any third party Intellectual Property Rights, the Customer’s use of any such Intellectual Property Rights is conditional on the Supplier obtaining a written licence from the relevant licensor on such terms as will entitle the Supplier to license such rights to the Customer.

8. Confidentiality

A party (Receiving Party) shall keep in strict confidence all technical or commercial know-how, specifications, inventions, processes or initiatives which are of a confidential nature and have been disclosed to the Receiving Party by the other party (Disclosing Party), its employees, agents or subcontractors, and any other confidential information concerning the Disclosing Party’s business or its products or its services which the Receiving Party may obtain. The Receiving Party shall restrict disclosure of such confidential information to such of its employees, agents or subcontractors as need to know it for the purpose of discharging the Receiving Party’s obligations under the Contract, and shall ensure that such employees, agents or subcontractors are subject to obligations of confidentiality corresponding to those which bind the Receiving Party. This clause 8 shall survive termination of the Contract.

9. Limitation of liability: THE CUSTOMER’S ATTENTION IS PARTICULARLY DRAWN TO THIS CLAUSE

9.1 Nothing in these Conditions shall limit or exclude the Supplier’s liability for:
(a) death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or the negligence of its employees, agents or subcontractors;
(b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
(c) breach of the terms implied by section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (title and quiet possession).
9.2 Subject to clause 9.1:
(a) the Supplier shall under no circumstances whatever be liable to the Customer, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, for any loss of profit, or any indirect or consequential loss arising under or in connection with the Contract; and
(b) the Supplier’s total liability to the Customer in respect of all other losses arising under or in connection with the Contract, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, shall in no circumstances exceed the amount of the price paid for the Services.
9.3 The terms implied by sections 3 to 5 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 are, to the fullest extent permitted by law, excluded from the Contract.
9.4 This clause 9 shall survive termination of the Contract.

10. Termination

10.1 Without limiting its other rights or remedies, each party may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by giving written notice to the other party if:
(a) the other party commits a material breach of the Contract and (if such a breach is remediable) fails to remedy that breach within 14 days of that party being notified in writing of the breach;
(b) the other party suspends, or threatens to suspend, payment of its debts or is unable to pay its debts as they fall due or admits inability to pay its debts or (being a company) is deemed unable to pay its debts within the meaning of section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or (being an individual) is deemed either unable to pay its debts or as having no reasonable prospect of so doing, in either case, within the meaning of section 268 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or (being a partnership) has any partner to whom any of the foregoing apply;
(c) the other party commences negotiations with all or any class of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its debts, or makes a proposal for or enters into any compromise or arrangement with its creditors other than (where a company) for the sole purpose of a scheme for a solvent amalgamation of that other party with one or more other companies or the solvent reconstruction of that other party;
(d) a petition is filed, a notice is given, a resolution is passed, or an order is made, for or in connection with the winding up of that other party (being a company) other than for the sole purpose of a scheme for a solvent amalgamation of that other party with one or more other companies or the solvent reconstruction of that other party;
(e) the other party (being an individual) is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or order;
(f) a creditor or encumbrancer of the other party attaches or takes possession of, or a distress, execution, sequestration or other such process is levied or enforced on or sued against, the whole or any part of its assets and such attachment or process is not discharged within 14 days;
(g) an application is made to court, or an order is made, for the appointment of an administrator or if a notice of intention to appoint an administrator is given or if an administrator is appointed over the other party (being a company);
(h) a floating charge holder over the assets of that other party (being a company) has become entitled to appoint or has appointed an administrative receiver;
(i) a person becomes entitled to appoint a receiver over the assets of the other party or a receiver is appointed over the assets of the other party;
(j) any event occurs or proceeding is taken with respect to the other party in any jurisdiction to which it is subject that has an effect equivalent or similar to any of the events mentioned in clause 10.1(b) to clause 10.1(i) (inclusive);
(k) the other party suspends or ceases, or threatens to suspend or cease, to carry on all or a substantial part of its business; or
(l) the other party (being an individual) dies or, by reason of illness or incapacity (whether mental or physical), is incapable of managing his own affairs or becomes a patient under any mental health legislation.
10.2 Without limiting its other rights or remedies, the Supplier may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by giving written notice to the Customer if:
(a) the Customer fails to pay any amount due under this Contract on the due date for payment;
(b) having commenced the Services the Supplier at its sole discretion considers it necessary to terminate any part of the Services of this Agreement. Any termination of part of the Services will not automatically terminate this Agreement unless indicated by the Supplier.
10.3 Without limiting its other rights or remedies, the Supplier shall have the right to suspend provision of the Services under the Contract or any other contract between the Customer and the Supplier for the following reasons, including but not limited to, if the Customer becomes subject to any of the events listed in clause 10.1(b)) to clause 10.1(l), or the Supplier reasonably believes that the Customer is about to become subject to any of them, or if the Customer fails to pay any amount due under this Contract on the due date for payment, or if the Supplier considers it necessary to make further investigations regarding the identity of the Customer and/or source of the funds for payment.

11. Consequences of termination

On termination of the Contract for any reason:
(a) the Customer shall immediately pay to the Supplier all of the Supplier’s outstanding unpaid invoices and interest and, in respect of Services supplied but for which no invoice has been submitted, the Supplier shall submit an invoice, which shall be payable by the Customer immediately on receipt;
(b) the accrued rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities of the parties as at expiry or termination shall not be affected, including the right to claim damages in respect of any breach of the Contract which existed at or before the date of termination or expiry; and
(c) clauses which expressly or by implication have effect after termination shall continue in full force and effect.

12. General

12.1 Force majeure:
(a) For the purposes of this Contract, Force Majeure Event means an event beyond the reasonable control of the Supplier including but not limited to strikes, lock-outs or other industrial disputes (whether involving the workforce of the Supplier or any other party), failure of a utility service or transport network, act of God, war, riot, civil commotion, malicious damage, compliance with any law or governmental order, rule, regulation or direction, accident, breakdown of plant or machinery, fire, flood, storm or default of suppliers or subcontractors.
(b) The Supplier shall not be liable to the Customer as a result of any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this Contract as a result of a Force Majeure Event.
(c) If the Force Majeure Event prevents the Supplier from providing any of the Services for more than 8 weeks, the Supplier shall, without limiting its other rights or remedies, have the right to terminate this Contract immediately by giving written notice to the Customer.
12.2 Assignment and subcontracting:
(a) The Supplier may at any time assign, transfer, charge, subcontract or deal in any other manner with all or any of its rights under the Contract and may subcontract or delegate in any manner any or all of its obligations under the Contract to any third party or agent.
(b) The Customer shall not, without the prior written consent of the Supplier, assign, transfer, charge, subcontract or deal in any other manner with all or any of its rights or obligations under the Contract.
12.3 Notices:
(a) Any notice or other communication required to be given to a party under or in connection with this Contract shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the other party personally or sent by prepaid first-class post, recorded delivery or by commercial courier, at its registered office (if a company) or (in any other case) its principal place of business, or sent by fax to the other party’s main fax number.
(b) Any notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly received if delivered personally, when left at the address referred to above or, if sent by pre-paid first-class post or recorded delivery, at 9.00 am on the second Business Day after posting, or if delivered by commercial courier, on the date and at the time that the courier’s delivery receipt is signed, or if sent by fax, on the next Business Day after transmission.
(c) This clause 12.3 shall not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action. For the purposes of this clause, “writing” shall not include e-mails and for the avoidance of doubt notice given under this Contract shall not be validly served if sent by e-mail.
12.4 Waiver:
(a) A waiver of any right under the Contract is only effective if it is in writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach or default. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy under the Contract or by law shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor preclude or restrict its further exercise. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall preclude or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.
(b) Unless specifically provided otherwise, rights arising under the Contract are cumulative and do not exclude rights provided by law.
12.5 Severance:
(a) If a court or any other competent authority finds that any provision of the Contract (or part of any provision) is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of the Contract shall not be affected.
(b) If any invalid, unenforceable or illegal provision of the Contract would be valid, enforceable and legal if some part of it were deleted, the provision shall apply with the minimum modification necessary to make it legal, valid and enforceable.
12.6 No partnership: Nothing in the Contract is intended to, or shall be deemed to, constitute a partnership or joint venture of any kind between any of the parties, nor constitute any party the agent of another party for any purpose. No party shall have authority to act as agent for, or to bind, the other party in any way.
12.7 Third parties: A person who is not a party to the Contract shall not have any rights under or in connection with it.
12.8 Variation: Except as set out in these Conditions, any variation, including the introduction of any additional terms and conditions, to the Contract, shall only be binding when agreed in writing and signed by the Supplier.
12.9 Governing law and jurisdiction: This Contract, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims), shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law, and the parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

12.10 As part of the Anti Money Laundering compliance that we undertake we may perform a personal Electronic ID check on you. This will not affect your credit history in any way.

The information and any commentary on the law contained on this website is provided for information and guidance purposes only. Every reasonable effort is made to make the information and commentary accurate and up to date, but no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying upon it is assumed by Open A European Company, its directors , employees or associated websites.

The information and commentary on Open A European Company’s site does not, and is not intended to amount to legal advice to any third party on a specific case or matter. You are strongly recommended to obtain specific, direct legal advice from professional advisers whether these be your own advisers or those that appear on the OpenAeuropeancompany.com site. You should consider taking advice both in the country in which you are domiciled and in the country in which you are seeking to open a company. and not to rely on the information or comments on this site.

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Our Data Protection Officer is Heather Landau, and you can contact them here.